Dr. Ernest Lam graduated from the UBC DMD (1989) and MSc (1991) programs and has gone on to have an exciting career as an oral and maxillofacial radiologist. Dr. Lam has held many esteemed positions, including Director of the University of Toronto’s Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Graduate Program—the only program of its kind in the country—and Chief Examiner for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology for the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.
We connected with Dr. Lam to learn more about his time at UBC Dentistry and his unique career pathway.
How did you first become interested in a career in dentistry?
I wanted a career that offered stability and independence, so dentistry seemed like a good fit, but by the time I entered my second year of the DMD program, it didn’t feel right for me. By that time, I had connected with UBC Dentistry Professor Dr. Alan Hannam who ran a fantastic laboratory in craniofacial biology. My undergraduate degree was in chemistry, and I was developing an interest in research. Dr. Hannam convinced me to complete my DMD degree and carry on with a Master’s degree in his lab.
What direction did your career take after completing your Master’s degree?
During my Master’s, I worked two days a week as a general dentist in Vancouver which confirmed it wasn’t the right career for me.
Early on, Dr. Hannam asked me what I wanted to accomplish, and I said I wanted to use 3D imaging techniques to diagnose abnormalities in dentistry. Now, you must remember this was in the 80s, well before 3D imaging was being used much in dentistry, so it was an advanced idea!
I saw a poster outside of the oral surgery clinic advertising an oral radiology program at the University of Iowa, and that really sparked my interest. I did some research and at the time there were only four schools in North America offering a radiology program. I wrote each a letter (there was no email back then) asking if they could help me apply 3D imaging to dentistry, and the Iowa program was the only one that could. So, I applied and got accepted, and when I was finished, I stayed on to complete their PhD program in radiation biology.
When I graduated, there were only about 12 certified oral and maxillofacial radiologists in Canada and most had academic careers because there weren’t many opportunities to join private practices.
I took a teaching and research position at the University of Alberta in 1998, and moved to the University of Toronto in 2005, where I work to this day as a professor, teacher and researcher. I also work one day a week at a private clinic.
What is the focus of your research?
My research focuses on making oral and maxillofacial imaging safer for patients and improving the diagnostic accuracy of clinicians. My MSc and PhD work were very foundational, and when I moved to the University of Toronto, I made a conscious decision to move towards clinical research. I love making new discoveries and I wanted my research to directly impact people in a more timely manner.
What advice would you give to current DMD students?
Dentistry isn’t just about filling, drilling and scraping teeth—there are so many different avenues you can explore with a dental degree. I would also remind them how great the UBC Dentistry faculty is. If a student is curious about specializing, doing research, or becoming a professor, there are many faculty members they can connect with and learn from.
You’ve achieved so much throughout your career. Is there one highlight that stands out for you?
I wouldn’t say I have one highlight but overall, my greatest joy has been the success of my graduate students. I love teaching and mentoring these students because I get to see first-hand their evolution into great thinkers and problem solvers over the course of their degree.